Versace Collared Halter Dress with Medusa Belt SS2005
View Similar Items
Versace Collared Halter Dress with Medusa Belt SS2005
About the Item
Versace
Subversive, maximalist and unabashedly seductive, Gianni Versace’s (1946–97) designs infused high fashion with an entirely new ethos. “I don’t believe in good taste,” the legendary Italian couturier once explained. Instead, he had a sexy good time with fashion — as he did with life. Today, vintage Versace clothing, handbags and other accessories look astonishingly fresh and freshly relevant.
More than any designer before him, Versace mined celebrity, music and Pop art for inspiration. In fact, the New York Times noted in 1997 that the fashion industry “is now driven by contemporary culture because Mr. Versace made it that way.”
Insiders consider his 1991/1992 Autumn/Winter runway show — which featured supermodels Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista lip-synching George Michael’s “Freedom! '90” — the moment when the two worlds of fashion and pop culture became one, changing both forever.
Versace was born in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. His mother was a successful dressmaker who employed more than 40 seamstresses. As a child, little Gianni marveled at her workshop, which would become a university of sorts, where he learned the exceptional construction techniques that were at the foundation of his creative expression.
In 1972, at age 25, Versace moved to Milan to work in fashion. He launched his first collection — and his label — in 1978, with his older brother Santo managing the business concerns. Soon, sister Donatella, whom Gianni dressed and took to discos when she was still a child, joined the family venture, where she had a creative role and managed enormously popular ready-to-wear lines such as Versus.
Vintage Versace — and Gianni Versace Couture, which debuted in 1989 — has become catnip for modern fashion enthusiasts who seek out the now-iconic house codes that originated in the designs of the 1980s and 1990s. His glamorous and seductive apparel — the clingy skirts and slender, strappy party dresses, as well as the erotic magazine ads that publicized them — looms large, but Versace’s art and historical influences were also vast.
Versace was an art collector, and he took on commissions to create costumes for theatrical performances during the 1980s and spoke of looking to numerous cultures for inspiration. This adventurous spirit of design resulted in his creating jewel-toned prints rooted in Grecian motifs, Etruscan symbols, the Italian Baroque and Andy Warholʼs Marilyn Monroe. There were slinky dresses in Oroton, his patented chain-mail textile that draped like satin, and leather bondage ensembles. Sex sold, for both women and men. Wrote the late curator Richard Martin, “[Versace] became the standard-bearer of gay men’s fashion because he eschewed decorum and designed for desire.”
Following Versace’s tragic murder in 1997, Donatella took over the role of artistic director and continued to evolve the house codes with a twist of her feminine and feminist perspective. Today, Santo Versace is chief executive officer of Versace and Donatella is its chief creative officer.
Browse an extraordinary collection of vintage Versace evening dresses, handbags, day dresses, accessories and more on 1stDibs.
- Christian Lacroix Floral Mini DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in Los Angeles, CAMulticolor floral mini dress by Christian Lacroix Floral graphic print Spaghetti strap Zip side with hook and eye closure 100% silk Made in France...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Day Dresses
- Etro Cream and Black Floral Print Swing Coat Fall2012By EtroLocated in Los Angeles, CAEtro Cream and Black Floral Print Swing Coat Fall 2012 Collection Cream, Beige/Black Abstract floral print Collarless round neckline Long sleeves Front flap pockets Concealed front ...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Fendi Pink Silk Quilted Peplum DressBy FendiLocated in Los Angeles, CAFendi Pink Silk Quilted Peplum Dress Light Pink/Blush Quilted detailing Sleeveless High round neck Padded shoulders Peplum bodice Pencil skirt Attached wide waist belt Back vent Adj...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Valentino Garavani Vintage Silk Abstract-Print Strapless Mini Dress (2000s)By Valentino GaravaniLocated in Los Angeles, CAValentino Garavani Vintage Multicolored Silk Abstract-Print Strapless Mini Dress Vintage; circa 2000s Multicolored; Yellow, Red, Blue, White Abstract-inspired swirl print Semi shee...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Gucci Blue Cotton-Linen Chambray and Lace Tunic DressBy GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAGucci Blue Cotton-Linen Chambray and Lace Tunic Dress Blue/White Chambray fabric Lace appliqué trim Long bell sleeves Tunic neckline with button fastening Shift silhouette Mini len...Category
2010s Italian Day Dresses
- Givenchy Studded Lace DressBy GivenchyLocated in Los Angeles, CAStudded Lace Dress by Givenchy Made in France Black Lace mesh sleeves and top detail Black trim detail Mini dress style Large silk bow detail around colla...Category
2010s French Day Dresses
- Michael Kors Collection Off White Ivory Size 2 / 4 Grommet Bell Sleeve DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAEarly 2000s vintage MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION off-white / ivory long bell sleeve grommet dress ! Features a tailored bodice with silver grommets aro...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$1,000 Sale Price20% Off - Dolce & Gabbana S/S 1994 "La Mediterranea" distressed knitted dressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Rome, IT• Oversized knitted dress • Cream distressed fishnetCategory
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche White Crepe Wrap DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Kingston, NYThe Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche White dress is a white wrap dress featuring short sleeves. Made with signature quality fabrics, this stylish and timeless piece will ensure you loo...Category
1990s French Casual Dresses
- S/S 2012 look #27 VERSACE WHITE STUDDED EMBELLISHED LEATHER DRESS 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual runway sample Spring/Summer look # 27 (Has a minor sings of wear on the lining) Embellished Leather Dress Sleeveless Knee length Content: 100% leather armpi...Category
2010s Italian Casual Dresses
- 1960s White Linen Mod Dress with Large Floral AppliquesLocated in London, GBThe design and high end construction details of this original vintage white linen dress make this very special and unusual. It has a distinc...Category
1960s French Formal Wear
- Vintage 1968 Gucci Couture Cotton-Pique Striped Ivory Pink Mod Mini Tunic DressBy GucciLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEarlier Gucci garments are very hard to come by and this mini dress is breathtaking. As shown, this design from their 1968 collection came in logo, floral ...Category
1960s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses